CURRENT EVENTS

NEWSCAST

In order for us to better understand other cultures, people and places better we need to understand what is going on in

other areas of the world. To learn more about what goes on around us we will work in groups to create a global

newscast that encompasses current events all over the world. Your assigned news team will be based in the United

States but will be reporting events from all around the globe.

Step 1: Organize Team

Step 2: Research

Step 3: Writing in your own words

Step 4: Writing a newscast

Step 5: Practicing

Step 6: Filming

Step 1: TEAM

Collaborate with your news team and decide which team member would like to write an article on the topics provided.

Each person is responsible for one topic. Create a “to do list” for each day so you know exactly what your goals are for

each class. For example: Day 1: (today) organize and research, Day 2: Research and write in your own words, Day 3:

Write the newscast, Day 4: Practice whole newscast, Day 5: Film. Lastly, each team member needs to have a group role:

1. Time Keeper: makes sure everyone stays on task and does not fool around, this person keeps track of the agenda 2.

Peace Maker: helps resolve disagreements or thinks of alternative ideas and proofreads people’s work 3. Supporter:

looks over peoples work and proofreads looking for mistakes, applauds others contributions, and makes sure all ideas

are being heard 4. Teacher Liaison: Updates teacher and/or asks questions for the group.

CONTINENTS:

North America

South America

Australia

Europe

Asia

Africa

TOPICS:

Sports

Politics

Environment

Society

Arts and Entertainment

Economy

Step 2: RESEARCH

Conduct research on world news specific to your continent. Narrow your search by focusing on a specific country on

your continent (not every person in your group needs to focus on the same country). Use the following websites to

conduct your research. If you are having trouble finding information or news articles on these sites given come see me

before you search sites on your own.

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/world-current-events/news-from-the-west-bank-zambia-and-china/

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews

http://www.dogonews.com/

http://www.timeforkids.com/around-the-world

http://tweentribune.com/topic/world-news/tween56/

Take down notes on articles you read noting main ideas and important people, places or circumstances.

Step 3: Writing in your own words

Use you r notes to write in your own words a paragraph on your news article. 5-6 sentences are required. Answer the

following questions:

What?

Where?

Who?

How?

Why?

Impact on others?

Step 4: Writing a newscast

Transform your paragraph into a script that you can read aloud to the camera. Decide on backgrounds, sights where

news reporters will be reporting from etc.

Step 5: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Research newscasters and how they relay the news to the public! They use a teleprompter, they look at the camera,

they speak slowly and clearly and they pause multiple times for impact. Practice your script and make sure that you are

emulating a newscaster and his/her mannerisms! Make your mistakes during the practice because you will only have 3

TAKES to get it right when recording!! Videos: http://www.cnn.com/search/?text=CNN+Student+News

Step 6: Filming

Every group will have an opportunity to film their newscast in front of a green screen 2-3 times to make sure it is

perfect. If a group cannot stay on task while filming they will be asked to sit down and will lose their time in front of the

screen.

If time is needed after school group members need to arrange a time to stay after.

NEWSCAST ORGANIZATION

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Name:_______________________ Article Topic: ______________________Group Role: _________________

Name:_______________________ Article Topic: ______________________Group Role: _________________

Name:_______________________ Article Topic: ______________________Group Role: _________________

Name:_______________________ Article Topic: ______________________ Group Role: _________________

DAILY AGENDA:

Day 1:__________________________________________

Day 2:__________________________________________

Day 3:__________________________________________

Day 4:__________________________________________

Day 5:__________________________________________

Newscast Paragraphs. Attach Link Here:

Paragraph #1: Author: ________________________

Paragraph #2: Author: ________________________

Paragraph #3: Author: ________________________

Paragraph #4 : Author: ________________________

Newscast Shared Responsibilities:

Camera Man

Scriptwriter

Props and Scenery

Q-Card Holder

GROUP CHECKLIST

____ 3-4 written paragraphs about a current event

____Complete sentences

____Articles answer the who, what, when, where etc. questions

____ Script for newscast

____ Practice

____ Scenes and Props

____ Time Management

____ Team Work and Collaboration

____

____